JAC1982 wrote:
This year Sturgis is August 6-12. Next year it's August 5-11. I'd say avoiding the week before and the week after is a good idea as well.
Last year in the spring I asked this very thing. Was planning an eclipse trip to Alliance Nebraska and wanted to see the Black Hills. The responses I got, and one was from someone who had lived in Sturgis almost all their life, was that the bikers show up one to two weeks early to tour the area, and are gone as soon as its over.
I talked to Spearfish City Campground on the phone and got the same info. I arrived in Spearfish on Tuesday afternoon (after the ending Sunday of bike week) after watching Eastbound RV's on I-90 both monday and tuesday, all pulling enclosed trailers (with bikes inside???). When I arrived in the campground on Tuesday afternoon there was one biker left, and the rest of the week I saw very few out touring.
I spent four nights at Spearfish, and used a rented car to tour the area, and one night at the KOA at Hot Springs and then off to Alliance where I spent the night in a nice grassy area I paid $50 for the opportunity to park with about four other motorhomes and a camper van.
This is my brief trip report,
My Black Hills, Badlands and Solar Eclipse trip in August 2017Hopefully the OP has a TOAD or truck to drive the Needles and Iron Mountain highways with (very small one lane tunnels that you have to fold mirrors on some trucks to clear the sides)
Spearfish City Campground is a good choice, has a very nice city park adjoining it and another small park and playground about a block away, plus the fish hatchery adjoining it, and laundrymat and food places such as pizza and such very close by. All good when you are unwinding after a day of touring and walking.
Charles
